Explanation of Names
CERATOPOGONIDAE: from the genus Ceratopogon, that from Greek "keratos" (a horn) + "pogon" (a beard), possibly in reference to hairy antennae of males
Numbers
676 species in 39 genera in North America listed at
nearctica.com
Culicoides (146 species) is the most speciose genus
Size
Minute; body length generally less than 3 mm.
Identification
Ocelli absent. Radial branches prominent. Similar to midges (Chironomidae) but stouter, with shorter legs, broader wings and well-developed proboscis. Flagellum typically 13-segmented with last several segments often moderately elongated (vs. only last segment moderately to extremely elongated in Chironomidae).
Habitat
salt and freshwater marshes, forests, edges of ponds and streams
Season
adults most prevalent in June and July
Food
Adult females suck blood from other insects, reptiles, and mammals (including humans), but also feed on flower nectar or other sugar source. Females of some species have atrophied mouthparts, and probably don't suck blood. All males feed only on sugars.
Life Cycle
larvae develop in moist or wet sand, mud, and decaying vegetation of salt and freshwater marshes, ponds and streams; a few occur under bark of rotting trees (from Roger Bland; How to Know the Insects)
Remarks
Many species, mostly in Culicoides, bite humans and can be very annoying. A few are ectoparasites of other insects. Some species transmit diseases.
See Also
Chironomidae, Chaoboridae
Internet References
information, links, and images (Steve Murphree, Belmont U., Tennessee)
live adult image of
Culicoides sp. (U. of Saskatchewan)
